Youthful offenses, especially those that result in criminal charges, can have a way of coming back to haunt teenagers who make bad decisions later in life. Poor decision-making and teenage life are closely intertwined, and many teens learn to become better adults by...
Jacksonville Law Blog
Judge calls Florida statute on felons and voting an illegal poll tax
A federal judge just ruled as unconstitutional parts of a law passed by Governor Ron DeSantis. As written, it states that felons in Florida be required to pay back all of their court fees and fines along with any restitution owed to their victims before they’re...
Felon voting rights in Florida
People who have felony convictions in Florida have been fighting a long battle to be able to exercise the right to vote. In November 2018, an amendment to the state’s constitution was approved that made it possible for more felons to vote. At the time of the approval,...
An inaccurate Breathalyzer test can lead to unfair charges
It's illegal to drink and drive, which is why you’ve always erred on the side of caution. You don’t drink more than a single alcoholic beverage an hour, and you wait an hour before you leave anywhere you are. You want to make sure you’re not intoxicated, because you...
Know the different levels of drug charges
Drug sale charges must be carefully handled because they come with serious penalties through the court system and some collateral consequences in society. There are several different types of charges a person might face if they are caught with drugs in their...
How to deal with a DUI traffic stop
If a police offer has any reason to believe you’re driving under the influence, you can expect them to pull you to the side of the road to investigate. This is a stressful time in your life, as the last thing you need is a DUI arrest. There are many key steps you can...
Think You Can’t Be Tried for the Same Crime Twice? Think Again.
Recently, the Supreme Court reaffirmed a long-standing legal theory- the Constitution does not protect you from being prosecuted twice for the same incident; once in state court and once in federal court. For example, guns are regulated under both state and federal...
What Should You Do When You Have Been Charged with Solicitation of a Minor?
We are frequently asked what the most important thing a person can so when he learns he is being investigated for solicitation of a minor. The use of a computer to engage in or attempt to engage in acts with a minor can be charged as several crimes. First, the accused...
Appeal Victory Paves Way for Trial in Race Discrimination Lawsuit Against JFRD
The Sheppard, White, Kachergus, and DeMaggio team won another appeal in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals last week. The case involved race discrimination and retaliation claims against the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. Our client, Captain Eric...
What is the knock-and-announce rule?
Police in Florida and throughout the U.S. are required to follow a procedure known as the “knock-and-announce” rule. It applies to officers who are executing a search warrant and bars them from immediately forcing their way into a dwelling. According to Cornell Law...